Communal Violence in Bareilly

Ten persons including six police personnels were injured during the communal violence in Bareilly on Friday. Violence erupted on Thursday evening after the release of Maulana Tauqir Raza Khan, the president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (Jadid). The members of a community defied the curfew and assembled on the road to register their protest over the release of Mulana, reports HT Correspondent.

Ten persons including six police personnels were injured during the communal violence in Bareilly on Friday.

Violence erupted on Thursday evening after the release of Maulana Tauqir Raza Khan, the president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (Jadid). The members of a community defied the curfew and assembled on the road to register their protest over the release of Mulana.

They clashed with the supporters of Mulana. Soon both the groups indulged in brick batting. The religious spots, shops and vehicles were targeted. Several vehicles and shops were set a fire by the mob in Kila,Baradari, Premnagar and Kotwali area. Extra police force was rushed to control the situation.

Meanwhile the BJP MLA Rajesh Agarwal and former MP Santosh Gangwar sat on dharna near the DM office. The BJP leaders were demanding the release of the Hindu community leaders. After talks with the district administration the BJP leaders lifted the dharna.

On Friday morning the violence spread to Sanjay Nagar and Subhash Nagar area. The mob set ablaze trucks, cars, bus and shops near Chaupala located on Bareilly- Badaun highway. In Subzi mandi area there was firing between two groups. The police lobbed tear gas to control the rampaging mob, but in vain. Later police force opened fire to disperse the mob.

On March 2 communal tension erupted in Bareilly during Barawafat procession. On Monday police took Maulana Tauqir Raza Khan into custody.

The ADG (Law and Order), Brij Lal said rubber bullets were fired by the police force and three persons Jaysi, Ajay and Hiralal were injured. Seven cops including the superintendent of police (city) Rakesh jolly was also injured in the brick batting.

The district administration had planned to relax curfew on Friday from 6 am to 9 pm and again between 4 pm to 6 pm. As the situation took ugly turn the district administration clamped curfew in Kila, Baradari, Premnagar and Kotwali area of the city. The district administration officers said curfew has been also clamped in Subhashnagar area.

The state government has transferred the DM and DIG of Bareilly on Thursday. Brij Lal said Commandant, PAC, four ASP and four DSP were sent by the state government to assist the district administration in maintaining law and order in the city.

On Friday ten persons were taken into custody taking the total number of persons taken into custody since the outbreak of communal violence to 277.

The traditional Ram Barat procession was not taken out today. The members of the Hindu organization said the district administration did not give permission for taking out procession. The ADG (Law and Order) said the organizers decided to withdraw the programme in view of communal tension.